We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jenee Priebe a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jenee, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

As we are about to launch the 10th anniversary of the SHINE Mural Festival, it’s definitely one of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on. SHINE started in 2015 and although I wasn’t part of the event that first year, I was able to experience it as a community member and was completely blown away by the art, the event, the brand, everything about it. It’s been an incredible journey from that moment until today. I really wanted the 10th anniversary of SHINE to be extra special. The city has changed so much in the last ten years, it feels like a huge accomplishment to still be able to produce this event, especially when so many other events have come to an end in recent years. Beyond the amazing artists, SHINE relies on willing property owners to offer up canvases for the sake of art and donors that believe art is worth investing in. We couldn’t do what we do without support from the city, other sponsors, many volunteers and of course artists. And now, in the wake of Hurricane Helene, our intention with SHINE 10 is to offer our community a sense of hope and normalcy– something positive to enjoy that keeps the St. Pete vibe alive.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Since 2018, I have been the Director of the SHINE Mural Festival for the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance. My prior experience as an administrative professional in the non-profit sector combined with my passion for mural art has allowed me to successfully plan and execute an internationally recognized mural festival with the support of SPAA and the SHINE Steering Committee. As Director, I’m is responsible for artist curation, logistics, fundraising and event management. Since 2018, SHINE has expanded its community engagement with increased emphasis on “Bright Spot” murals partnering with local youth and other underrepresented populations as well as established public SHINE mural tours for educational and economic impact.

I’ve had the honor of assisting in the creation of mural programs for other local agencies including a county-wide mural program through Creative Pinellas, the City of Clearwater’s mural festival, Art Oasis, and Pinellas Park’s public art program. Additionally, Iserve on the Board of Directors for the Florida Association of Public Art Professionals.

Outside of work, my passions include spending time with my two sons, paddleboarding, attending local art events, and listening to live blues as often as possible.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

This is a complex question but in the simplest terms I believe the answer is to trust and respect artists and the artistic process. There are a lot of artists working professionally, which is amazing. In our digital age, there is more and more of a need for creative output which is wonderful in many ways. But creating an ecosystem where artists can truly thrive is more than just providing opportunities to pay bills. A thriving creative ecosystem is one that has breathing room– physically, financially, emotionally, creatively. I would love to see more artists given the opportunity to take risks, try something new, explore a creative dream, etc. When basic needs are met, the ecosystem can grow and expand. In some ways I’m talking about money– more buyers, better paying projects, affordable homes and studio space– but its more than that. It’s also about cultivating a community that values really great art. It’s about education and appreciation. It’s about inviting artists to create in meaningful and impactful ways to expand our collective conscience.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A lesson I had to unlearn is about the myth of the starving artist. It’s such a common trope about artists but after years of working with incredible, professional artists I’ve seen how damaging it can be to continue pushing that narrative. Prior to falling into a job in the arts, I had never considered the arts as a realistic career to pursue partly because of the negative connotations that surround artists and creative fields. But I’ve seen plenty of artists succeed as full time working artists. The more we value artists and stop using “starving artist” as a reason to underpay someone for their skills, the more artists will thrive. When we view artists as professionals, we learn to respect their work and respect their rates.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shinemuralfest.com
• Instagram: @shineonstpete
• Facebook: @shineonstpete

Image Credits

Mark Rapien (image with HOXXOH, mural artist), Khumar Guardiola (headshot & trolley image)